The latest census figures have revealed that thousands of Winchester residents identify with an LGBTQ+ sexual orientation.

The 2021 census included voluntary questions, for those aged 16 and over on their sexual orientation and gender identity. 

This was the first census to have been released that included questions on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Office for National Statistics data shows 3.3 per cent of respondents identified their sexuality as something other than heterosexual, meaning 3,493 people in Winchester were not heterosexual when the census was carried out in March 2021.

Some 50.5 per cent of those who did not identify as heterosexual were bisexual, with 37.6 per cent identifying as gay or lesbian. 

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The remaining 11.9 per cent of those not heterosexual, were amongst other LGBTQ+ sexualities.

The census shows 90.1 per cent of 45,184 Winchester residents identified as heterosexual, with 6,900 people in Winchester choosing not to answer the question.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights charity, Stonewall, described the publication of the figures as a 'historic step forward' after more than 20 years of LGBTQ+ lives being 'missing from the national record'. 

In terms of gender identity, 0.09 per cent of participants identified as trans women, the same statistics showed for non-binary identifying individuals, with 0.08 per cent of Winchester’s population identifying as transexual men. Also 0.05 per cent of people aged 16 years and over identified as another gender identity aside from transexual man or woman, non-binary or that assigned at birth.

With the value standing at 94.8 per cent, Winchester was dominated by those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth.